Limelight: Die Meistersinger is Wagner at his most human and comic. How have you approached balancing its humour with its deeper themes?

Suzanne Chaundy: I find all of Wagner’s great works explore deeply human themes though often using a mythical context. Unlike Wagner’s operas which are more mythical in content, Meistersinger is about ordinary people – humans exercising control over their own fates. The genius in Meistersinger is the subtlety and gentle exploration of human foibles and internal turmoil which Wagner’s music and libretto elevates to become revelatory.

Suzanne Chaundy

Suzanne Chaundy. Photo © Nicole Cleary.

Bringing the humour to the fore has been very important to us in this process. We have a wonderful cast of singing actors who are more than capable of finding the comic potential that Wagner creates, and we are really honouring that this opera is a comedy!

Our Meistersinger production is entirely cast from local singers, most of whom have been peers for many years. This camaraderie shows, in the rehearsal room and on the stage. Ours is a production that is very true to the innate comedy and deeper meaning in the work – with a...